Coast Guard Suspends Search for Possibly Missing Boaters

Coast Guard crewmembers searched for two possible missing people near Keyport Harbor, New Jersey, after an unmanned 14-foot boat was discovered October 31, 2016.

KEYPORT, NJ - The Coast Guard has suspended their search for possibly missing boaters in the Keyport area.

Police alerted the Coast Guard after an unmanned 14-foot boat was found taking on water at the shoreline in Keyport.

"After 5 hours of searching an area approximately 25 square nautical miles in size, the Coast Guard suspended the search.

"We have received no reports of missing people and conducted searches in the chance that there were missing boaters on the water.

"After conducting searches there were no signs that showed any distress and the vessels owner was never identified," wrote Petty Officer Frank Simmons in an email.

An Urgent Marine Information Broadcast (UMIB) had been issued in the Keyport Harbor area to alert mariners of two possible missing people.

The Coast Guard urges all mariners to file a float plan if they plan on heading out on the water.

A float plan is as simple as informing someone about where you plan to go and when your return. Be sure the person you share this information with will notify authorities in case of an emergency relating to your boating outing.